Hullo dear ones! I hope this new blog finds you well and warm. I hear it’s rather cold in the US at the moment, at least compared to where I am currently.
As I write this, I can’t believe how quickly the time has passed. We are in the first week of ministry in our next country, El Salvador. I realised the other day that so much time has gone by, I’ve written a couple of blogs, yet some of you may still be asking what exactly I’m doing here. I figured those of you who are graciously supporting me financially and in prayer may like to know exactly what you are supporting; this blog is for you!
This past month we worked with Casa Verde ministry in Puerto Barrios, Izabel, Guatemala. It’s beautiful and tropical there. We were quite near the coast as well as the mountains, with temperatures between the lower 80’s and upper 60’s, and palm trees as far as the eye can see. Casa Verde’s ministries are immense, including an internet café and radio station. Our ministry hosts were absolutely lovely last month! The whole staff graciously supported us as we tried to figure this missionary thing out.
An impactful man of God, Pastor Roni, shepherded us through most of our weekly ministry. Pastor Roni’s heart to serve the Guatemalan people is so apparent. You can’t help but be humbled when you look at his example of unconditional love.
So our weeks looked a little bit like this:
LUNES: Prayer and intercession- Each Monday morning we met as a family for some intense praise and prayer focused on the Casa Verde ministry, our race, and for the nations of Guatemala and Honduras.
(Photo Credit: Robin Quinn Brooks)
Orphanage-In this ministry, we were just free to love, and were loved so freely in return. I fell in love with Jose Manuel, and it broke my heart so part from him.
(Photo Credit: Robin Quinn Brooks)
Park- This was one of my favourite ministries! We met some amazingly talented break-dancers and just forged relationships with them throughout the month. This is a ministry dear to Mama Hilda’s heart, so please join me in praying that the relationships continue to grow, even after we are gone.
MARTES: Prayer Walk- We walked through the streets of our neighborhood and just prayed. We prayed for unity in the churches, we prayed for corruption to cease in the government, we prayed for the people of Puerto Barrios.
(Photo Credit: Robin Quinn Brooks)
Children’s hospital- During this time we had the opportunity to play with and pray over some beautiful children who were suffering from various infirmities. Their faces were so full of joy to just have someone sit, sing, and colour with them.
(Photo Credit: Robin Quinn Brooks)
Church- We visited SO many different churches while we were in Guatemala. We lead people in praising our King, and several people shared their stories with the church. We were embraced in almost every church we went to, and it was so awesome to see that language is no barrier for the Lord to work.
MIERCOLES:
Mercado- We worshipped and prayed over the markets of Santo Tomas and Puerto Barrios. There’s a lot of witchcraft and darkness present in these markets. People cast spells to try to draw people into buying from their booths. The light of Christ overcame even this darkness.
Nursing home- These people were amazing. All they wanted was our affection and love. We sat with them, played games with them, and even danced and listened to them play music.
(Photo Credit: Robin Quinn Brooks)
JUEVES:
El Rastro- We worshipped on the coast in El Rastro. It was such a time of peace and freedom to be able to proclaim the grace Jesus offers in such a place of darkness and corruption. My co-leader, Mark, even jumped in to help two men who were cleaning a boat by diving to the sea floor, and scrubbing the boat with the mud they brought up.
Prostitutes- We brought these women cookies and candies with verses about someone who loves and cares for them unconditionally. I saw walls broken down, and we even saw a bar close down the last day we were there.
VIERNES:
Trash pickup around neighborhood.
Dump- This was another favourite ministry. There were families living at the dump, working by recycling the materials that were dropped off. We performed dramas, played futbol with the kids, and saw several people decide to follow Christ. From the moment we arrived, it was so easy to find beauty in the children’s faces, even in the land surrounding the dump. He makes beauty out of ashes.
Family night- This was a time for everyone who worked with Casa Verde to fellowship together, but also a time where we were totally blessed beyond belief. Each of our three family nights had themes:
Taco Bell and Dunkin Donut night – They made burritos and donuts for us, complete with a diagram of how to make a proper Taco Bell burrito.
Karaoke night- We had a crazy blast singing to some awesome music.
Guatemala night- This began as a night full of traditional food, dress, and music, and turned into a dance party.
SABADO- free days (Punto Palma, Quirioua) One Saturday was spent on a beautiful beach, and the other was spent exploring ancient Mayan ruins with a beautiful friend and the best Guatemalan tour guide ever.
DOMINGO- Church fellowship all day
Meet the beautiful people of this ministry:
Paul and Hilda- They are a papa and a mama to so many young people. You can see God working so clearly in their lives, and He has opened their arms to be arms of compassion, ready to embrace those hungry to encounter Jesus. They give of their time and themselves so freely for the sake of Christ. If you would like to learn more about their ministry, or donate to Casa Verde, you can visit them online at: http://tunein.com/radio/Radio-Fe-Love-1000-s121744/
Pastor Roni- I am not exaggerating when I say that this man’s heart beats for the people of Guatemala. He loves and gives freely of himself without expecting anything in return. He has a burgeoning congregation that he selflessly pastors and pours into, and he is raising his family and missionaries up to pursue Jesus with such passion and conviction. He always seemed to have good gifts to give to the orphans or the children at the dump, but his greatest desire is to give them the love that Christ gives us so freely. It was an honour and privilege to work alongside him.
Kevin- Kevin continued to serve our teams even after we made our way to El Salvy. He rode a full six hours with us all the way to La Libertad to translate for us and make sure we made is safely, and then returned to Puerto Barrios that night. This is a perfect example of how much preference he gave us while we lived with him for a month. He became our brother, and always had a word of encouragement, or something about which to tease us.
(Photo Credit: Robin Quinn Brooks)
Andrea- Andrea seriously radiates joy! She is the tiniest woman I’ve ever met, but you would make a mistake if you thought that affected her faith. She is so bold in proclaiming Christ’s victory over her life, and His infinite goodness and love for her. And people listen; they are drawn to her when she sings or dances for Jesus. She is just lovely.
(Photo Credit: Robin Quinn Brooks)
Hermana Ada and Claudia- Both became very dear to my heart. These two women didn’t stop serving us. Hermana Ada and her daughter prepared all of our meals (and usually washed all of our dishes) and not once did they complain. They also allowed me to learn both cooking and Spanish alongside them in the kitchen last month.
Benjamin- Benjamin… where do I begin with Benjamin? His desire to serve, honour, and bless us melted my heart. Benjamin not only served as one of our excellent translators, but he also became a dear friend to us while in Puerto Barrios. He and his family invited us over to their home one night to feed us yummy tostadas and ice cream, and grant us a bit of rest. The life that he and his parents spoke into our lives that night was incredible, and can only lead me to declare the goodness of God. Though we didn’t see as much of Benjamin as we would have liked because of how hard he worked, he stopped by the house on our last day and once again poured such wisdom and love into us. He is a Godly man of strength, wisdom, and honour, and I know he shall continue to be used mightily for the kingdom.
Fernando- Fernando was another one of our selfless translators for the month. Not only did he translate for us (sometimes at a moment’s notice), he did so with such joy and humility. He also went above and beyond to ensure we were comfortable in Puerto Barrios. He works as a tour guide and translator, but is also finishing a Master’s degree, and somehow found time to take us to the Mayan ruins of Quirioa for a day (starting at 6:45) before going to school later that night. He shared the beauty of his country and its rich history, and treated us like royalty in the process. His love of Christ is so apparent through the numerous sacrifices he made on our behalf throughout the month.
Tio Roni- I LOVE Tio Roni! We were introduced to him and his beautiful family shortly after arriving in Guatemala, and they all found a special place in our hearts. He has an amazing desire to know more of the Lord and to see His kingdom furthered here on earth. His humour and his big, kind heart were such a blessing throughout the month. Oh, and not only did he serve us through translating on occasion, but he also brought us delicious coconuts! Tio Roni es muy chilero!
Gerson, Byron, and Jonathan- I didn’t get to interact much with these three young men throughout the month, but this was mainly because they were so busy supporting us at Casa Verde and the FeLove ministry. They fixed vehicles, chauffeured us around, took care of computer issues, and continue to give of themselves to ensure we had everything we needed. They are the next generation of Godly men in Puerto Barrios, and what mighty messengers of peace they are!
